Reports | 25 05 2020
By: Ghassan Moufleh
Since Barack Obama took over government six years ago, he has wrestled with Iran in the long-term process of containment. But it seems that this 'containment' has obssessed Obama in a pathological and immoral manner—even in American terms. He considers this will be the most important achievement of his presidency if it were indeed accomplished. In order to do so he resorted, once again, to the reactivation of the Islamophobia hysteria, using ISIS as a vehicle this time around.
Before even venturing into a discussion of this matter, we need to stress that neither ISIS nor al-Qaeda are part of political Islam in any way—despite the latter's many failings and failures. The introduction of Islam into politics does not translate into the introduction of uncontrolled violence, free from any legal or ethical oversight. These can only be the workings of intelligence services and the forces unbridled by human considerations.
I have written extensively on this subject, especially on the joint U.S./Saudi al-Qaeda manufactured model in the past. But now ISIS has emerged. Discussion of ISIS can flow into books, but the outcome will most likely point to the fact that ISIS is an al-Qaeda hybrid that is, at the same time, independent from it. In brief, activating ISIS as a criminal organization par excellence displays clear Obama-interests. Namely, eliminating the Arab Spring and its achievements; and making Iran look like a meek lamb in front of the American public, and part of Obama's war on terror. There, however, remains fierce resistance within the conglomeration of US forces to the Obama project.
I argue that the reasons behind Obama's Iran policy uniquely lie in the Democratic Party, from the Jimmy Carter era to John Kerry now. This Party's direction is congruent with the same old arguments—prevalent among American elites in general, and the pro-Israel AIPAC more specifically—positing that the U.S. faces a sea of hostile Sunni Muslims and Arabs and must, therefore, attract Iran and Shiites as a counterweight against Sunni Arabs, which will all be in Israel's strategic interest more generally. On the other hand, within AIPAC and the Republican Party, there exists the view of Iran as a threat to America, American interests, and the security of Israel. Obama has tried to manipulate these contradictions among American elites. Iran, however, due to the nature of its regime and its project, cannot help Obama save face in any future agreement.
When Obama says that he wishes to give an opportunity to Hassan Rohani as a reformer, Obama lies—and he knows that he is lying. On the other hand, Hassan Rohani lies to Obama when he talks about reform and hardliners within the clerical regime, whose policies are reason for Iran's problems. How can a 'reformer' stand steadfast in supporting an Assad who kills his own people, acknwoledged by Rohani and his regime's hawkish symbols? Where did Rohani's 'reform' originate? What are its indicators? Is Rohani capable of imposing his 'reform authority' (!) onto the Vali Faqih [The Ruling Jurist]? On the other hand, the existence and action of the Mullahs' regime serves American interests: It is the source of death and destruction, and sectarianization of the region. It also serves the shabby Arab official order and its authorities.
Obama, who formed the international coalition against ISIS, formed it precisely to say that the war criminals in Syria, Iran, and Iraq are against ISIS!! It is to be noted that John Kerry called Assad—of whom ISIS is an ally, and whose interests ISIS serves, as much as he serves theirs—the 'Criminal of the Century.' However, Obama persists in his Iran and Syria policy, even prompting the resignation of his Defense Secretary. It is well known in America that, when either an adiminstration's Secretary of Defense, of State, or the National Security Adviser resigns, when America is at war; this means that this administration cannot pursue the same policy, or has at least become weak and can not take a strategic decision. Especially now with Obama's mandate coming to an end; and the fact that due to his policies, his Party lost Congress elections almost two months ago. In an astrology-related joke, Obama's insistence perhaps may have to do with his Shiite origins!!! Byt all joking aside, the Syrian people pay in blood. But in the end, Obama and Rohani are mere liars, no more no less.
* Opinion articles published do not necessarily reflect the position of Radio Rozana.